Reclining article of furniture



April 4, 1961 A. LORENZ 2,978,011

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 28. 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Anion Lorenz.

ATTORNEYS Apnl 4, 1961 A. LORENZ 2,978,011

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Feb. 2a. 1957 s Sheets-Sheet z INVENTOR. Anton Lorenz M, @642 3 Mb,

ATTORNEYS April 4, 1961 A. LORENZ 2,978,011

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 4 Filed Feb. 28. 1957 a Sheets-Sheet a FIG] NV Anton Lorenz ATTORNEYS.

nite States This inventionrelates to an article of furniture such as a chair which is adjustable from an upright seating position to a more or less reclining position and which is provided with means for supporting the legs of the occupant when the body supporting elements are moved to the reclining position.

' It is the object of the invention to provide an improved construction in which the seating elements may be adjusted in a smooth and easy manner by change of position of the occupant without substantial eifort and in which all body supporting parts of the chair are so coordinated as to automatically assume their desired relative positions to support the occupant most comfortably. In particular, means are provided for moving the leg rest forwardly and upwardly to support the legs when the reclining position is assumed, the leg rest not being pivoted directly to the front of the chair seat but being supported on a pantograph type of linkage which will advance the leg rest to a proper distance away from the front of the chair seat as the leg rest is raised.

The invention is applicable both to constructions in which the back rest and seat of the chair are separate members pivoted in such a way that the angle between the same may be varied and to constructions in which the back rest and seat form a unit, rockably mounted on the fixed base of the article.

Other objects and structural details of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating certain preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a reclining arm chair according to the invention, a portion of a side'wall being broken away, the parts of the chair being shown in up right seating position;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the construction shown in Figure 1 with the parts in reclining position;

Figures 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2; respectively, showing a modified form of the invention;

Figures, 5 and 6, are views similar to Figures 1 and 2 respectively, showing another modified form of the invention; V

Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2 respectively, showing an embodiment of the invention in which the back rest and seat of the chair constitute a single rockable unit;

Figures 9 and 10. are views similar to Figures 1 and'2 respectively, showing another modification of the invention.

Referring to thedrawings in detail, in all of the embodimen ts of the invention illustrated, the article of furniture includes a suitable base comprising side frames 12 and 14 connected by a rear wall 16 and cross members 18. The particular form of the supporting frame is not important and may be varied both in shape and in materials used depending on the style selected for the article of furniture.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the body sup- Patented Apr. 4, 1961 porting members comprise a back rest 20 which is shown as pivoted to the supporting frame by pivot means 22. Also, pivotally supported on the frame is a seat 24 which 18 shown in the present instance as having rearw'ardly projecting ears 26, also pivoted to swing about the pivotal axis of the pivot means 22. Obviously, the seat and back rest need not be mounted for swinging about the same axis.

28 is a leg rest which is located under the front part of the seat when the chair is in upright seating position as shown in Figure 1, and which is projected into a raised position spaced forwardly of the front edge of the seat when the chair is in a reclining position as shown in F1gure2. For coordinating the movements of the back restand seat and for supporting and advancing the leg rest, a novel andv improved linkage is provided which may be described as consisting of three pairs of links so mounted and connected together as to form two systems of pantographs by which the proper coordination of the elements is secured. The construction to be described is free from restrictions in matter of design found in many systems of linkage previously used so that it enables the elements to be so proportioned as to provide for the coordinated movements of the body supporting elements to be accomplished in such manner as to produce the most comfortable position for the body of the occupant and also to permit the occupant to change from an upright to a selected reclining position with a minimum of effort. Ordinarily, it is not necessary to provide locking means to hold the elements of the article of furniture in any particular adjusted position as the occupant may so balance his body that the elements will stay Where desired. However, locking means may be provided if thought advisable.

The three pairs of links described comprise a first pair of links 30 and 32 which are pivoted to each other at a point 34. It will be understood, of course, that duplicate sets of links may be used at the two sides of the chair if found desirable. In the construction shown, the link 30 ispivoted to the stationary frame at 22 coaxially with the pivoted axis of the back rest 20 and is connected rigidly with the back rest 20 so that it constitutes in effect an extension thereof below the pivot axis 22. It is therefore pivoted about its axis in accordance with the movements of the back rest. The second pair of links comprises a main supporting link 36 and a first leg rest link 33 which are pivoted to each other at 40. At its opposite end, the link 36 is pivoted to a bracket on one of the side walls of the stationary chair frame at the point 42. This link is also pivoted to the front end of the link 32 at the point 44. The front end of the link 38 is pivoted to the leg rest at point 46. The third pair of links comprise a link 48 and a second leg rest supporting link 50 which are pivoted together at the point 52. The free end of the link 48 is pivoted to the link 22 at a point 54 between the ends of the link and to the left of the link 36 as viewed from the position shown in Figure 1 The link 50 crosses the link 36 above the lower end of the latter and is pivoted thereto at the point 56, the outer end of the link 50 being pivoted to the leg rest at a point 58 spaced from the point 46. Links of each of the three pairs of links are thus pivoted to the main supporting or guide link 36 at the three spaced points 40, 56 and 44, which gives them direct support from the stationary frame. The link 36 together with the links 30 and 32 comprising the first pair of links and the portion of the frame between the pivot points 22 and 42 as the fixed link are also seen to constitute a constrained four-bar linkage which supports and transmits motion to the leg rest linkage.

It will be seen that a pantograph construction is provided on the left hand or rear side of the link 36 comprising links 32, 4 S, 36 and the rear part of link 50, and that a second pantograph arrangement is provided on the right hand side or in front of the link 36 by the lower part of the link 36, links 5% and 38 and the leg rest 28. The link 36 is the guiding or control element for both systems so that when the back rest is swung back the link 30 will propel the link 32 forward which through the systems described will produce a multiplied and controlled movement of the leg rest which will advance it forwardly and upwardly to the correct position spaced in front of the seat. It will be observed that the leg rest is supported by the two links 38 and 50 which are directly pivoted to the main supporting or guide link 36 which in turn is pivoted directly to the main frame. This gives an extra-ordinarily firm and simple support to the leg rest not dependent on pivotal or linkage connections to the seat. The leg rest linkage may thus be designed to give the desired range of movement to the leg rest independent of the seat moving instrumentalities. Also a minimum number of links and pivotal connections are required giving permanent stability and maximum freedom from looseness due to wear. The projected exposed part of the linkage when the leg rest is in raised position furthermore comprises only the direct leg rest carrying links 38 and 5t). Suitable connections are also provided for tilting the seat upward as the back rest is swung back. In the constructions shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat tilting means comprise a rigid arm 60 forming a part of the link 36 and carrying a roll 62 upon which the bottom of the seat frame rests.

In the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4, the back rest 20 and seat 24 are mounted as above described and the linkage comprises links 30, 32 36a, 38, 48 and 50, all of which are identical with the corresponding links shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the exception of the link 36a. This link has no arm and roller corresponding to arm 60 and roll 62 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Instead, means are provided for tilting the seat, comprising a seat link 79 pivoted at 72 to the seat and at 74 to the link 32. In this instance, the pivot point 74 is located between the pivot points 4-4 and 54.

Figures 5 and 6 show another form of chair similar to that in Figures 1 and 2 and comprising a back rest 20 and a seat 22, pivotally mounted upon the stationary frame of the chair. The linkage comprises links 30, 32, 3% and 50 similar to those shown in the preceding figures. A link 36a is also used which like the link 36a in Figures 3 and 4 is not provided with the seat supporting roller. A link 48a is provided which is similar to the link 48 except that it is shown as having a slot 49 which engages with the pivot pin 54 fixed in the link 32. This provides for a little lost motion which may be useful in permitting the leg rest to assume a desirable position. Such a lost motion could also be used in the construction of the previous figures if desired. In the construction shown in Figures 5 and 6, a seat tilting link 70a is provided which is pivoted at 72 to the seat and at a point 74/; to the link 56 between the pivots 56 and 58.

In the construction shown in Figures 7 and 8, a seating unit 80 is provided which includes a back rest portion 20a and a seat 22:! united together or formed as one piece and pivoted for rocking movement on the stationary frame on the pivotal support 82. In this construction, the leg rest 28 is provided with a control linkage comprising three pairs of links acting similarly to the linkage for controlling the leg rest in the previously described figures. In this form of the invention, the first pair of links comprise links 100 and 102 pivoted to each other at point 104, the upper end of the link 1% being pivoted to the stationary frame at point 106. The second pair of links comprise a guide link 108 and a first leg rest carrying link 110 which are pivoted to each other at point 112. Guide link 108 is pivoted to the fixed frame at 114 and to the free end of the link 1%2 of the first pair of links at point 116. The outer end of link 110 is pivoted to the leg rest 28 at point 127. The third pair of links comprises a link 118 and a second leg rest carrying link 120, these two links being pivoted to each other at point 122. The free end of the link 120 is pivoted to the leg rest at point 1.24 and, where it crosses the link 108 of the second pair of links is pivoted thereto at point 126. For actuating this system of linkage a connection is made from the rocking seating unit to the first pair of links. In the construction shown, the rocking seating unit has a downward extending arm or link portion 130 to the lower end of which at point 132 is pivoted an actuating link 134.. The other end of the actuating link 134 is pivoted at 136 to an intermediate point of the link 100.

Figures 9 and 10 show a modified construction of chair in which seating unit 80a comprising a back rest and seat is provided with a downward extension 130a which is pivoted to the frame at a point 82a which constitutes the axis about which the seating unit rocks. In this construction, the first pair of links a and 102, the second pair of links 108 and and the third pair of links 118 and are the same as those described in Figures 7 and 8. However, owing to the different mode of supy porting the seating unit, different means for actuating the linkage from the seating unit are necessary. In this construction, the link 100a which is pivoted to the fixed frame at 106a is provided with an extension arm 138 to the upper end of which at 140 is pivoted an actuating link 134a, the other end of which is pivoted at 142 to the upper part of the extension a.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, and that various omissions and changes in shape, proportion and arrangements of parts as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person comprising a stationary support, body supporting members operatively connected to said support, said body supporting members including a back rest member and a seat member, a leg rest member, and a system of linkage for connecting said members and causing coordinated movement thereof when it is desired to change the positions of the body supporting members in accordance with the wishes of the occupant, said system of linkage including a constrained four-bar linkage comprising two links pivoted to the stationary support at spaced points, the part of said support between said pivot points constituting the stationary link of said constrained linkage, and a connecting link pivoted at spaced points to points on said first two links spaced from the points at which said links are pivoted to said stationary support, an operative connection between said back rest and one of the movable links of said constrained linkage, a leg rest, a quadric linkage including part of the front support-pivoted link of said four-bar constrained linkage, said leg rest, and two links pivoted at their outer ends to said leg rest at spaced points and at points toward their rear ends to spaced points on said front link of said constrained, four-bar linkage, and a control link pivotally connecting at least one of said leg rest pivoted links to a link of said four-bar constrained linkage other than said front support-pivoted link so as to coordinate the movements of said four-bar and quadric linkages.

2. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person comprising a stationary support, body supporting members operatively connected to said support, said body supporting members including a back rest member and a seat member, a leg rest member, and a system of linkage for connecting said members and causing coordinated movement thereof when it is desired to change the positions of the body supporting members in accordance the part of said support between said pivot points constituting the stationary link of said constrained linkage, and a connecting link pivoted at spaced points to points onsaid first two links spaced from the points at which said links are pivoted to said stationary support, an operative connection between said back rest and one of the movable links of said constrained-linkage, a leg rest, a quadric linkage including part of the front supportpivoted link of said four-bar constrained linkage, said leg rest, and two links pivoted at their outer ends to said leg rest at spaced points and at points toward theirrear ends to spaced points on said front link of said constrained, four-bar linkage, the rear portion of one of said leg rest links extending beyond its pivot point on said support-pivoted link, and a control link pivoted at one end to said rear extension of said leg rest pivoted link and at its other end to said connecting link of said fourbar constrained linkage.

.3. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the connection from the linkage system to the seat member comprises a seat link pivoted at one end to the seat memher and at the other endto one of the links of said linkage system; i

4. A construction as claimed in claim 3 in which the seat link is pivoted at one end to the seat member and at the other end to an intermediate point of said connecting linkof said four-bar constrained linkage.

5. A construction as claimed in claim 3 in which the seat link is pivoted at one end to the seat and at the other end to one of the leg rest pivoted links.

6. A construction as claimedin claim 2 in which an end of the control link pivotally connecting one of the leg rest pivoted links to the connecting link of the fourbar constrained linkage is slotted so as to provide a lost motion pivotal connection between said control link and one of said links to which the control link is pivoted.

7. A construction as claimed in claim 1 in which the back rest member and the seat member form a rigid body-supporting unit rockably mounted on said stationary support. p

8. A constructionas claimed in claim 7 in which the rear link of the two support pivoted links of said fourbar constrained linkage is pivoted to the stationary support at a point spaced from a center of rocking movement of said rigid body-supporting unit and an actuating I link connects said rear link of said four-bar constrained linkage with a part of the rockable body supporting unit. 9. A construction as claimed in claim 8 in which the 6 rigid body-supporting unit has an arm projecting below the rockable mounting thereof upon the stationary support.

10. A construction as claimed in claim 7 in which the rigid body-supporting unit has a rigid projection extending. downward below the said member, said extension being rockably mounted at its lower end on the stationary support.

11. An article of repose for supporting the body of a person comprising a'stationary support, body supporting members operatively connected to said support, said body supporting members including a back rest member and a seat member, a leg rest member, and a system of linkage for connecting said members and causing coordinated movement thereof when it is desired to change the positions of the body supporting members in accordance with the wishes of the occupant, said system of linkage including a constrained four-bar linkage comprising two links pivoted to the stationary support at spaced points, the part of said support between said pivot points constituting the stationary link of said constrained linkage, and a connecting link pivoted at spaced points to points on said first two links spaced from the points at which said links are pivoted to said stationary support, an operative connection between said back rest and the front one of the support-pivoted links of said constrained linkage, a leg rest, a quadric linkage including part of said front support-pivoted link, said leg rest, and two links pivoted at their outer ends to said leg rest at spaced points on said front support-pivoted link located below the points at which said front link is pivoted to said support and to said operative connection respectively, whereby said front support-pivoted link has four spaced pivotal connections thereto, one to the support, one to the operative connection from the back rest, and one to each of the leg rest pivot links, and control link means pivotally connecting at least one of said leg rest pivoted links to a link of said four-bar constrained linkage other than said front support-pivoted link so as to coordinate the movements of said four-bar and quadric linkages.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,672,919 Luckhardt Mar. 23, 1954 2,727,561 Bank et al. Dec. 20, 1955 2,781,824 Lorenz Feb. 19, 1957 2,781,825 Lorenz Feb. 19, 1957 2,801,675 Krikorian Aug. 6, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 724,644 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1955 

